Appomattox, Virginia. The Army of Northern Virginia is being pursued by Union forces and now finds itself preempted by the main Yankee army. They are surrounded. Confederate General Alexander suggests to Lee that the army disband and continue a permanent guerrilla war. But Lee makes it clear that it’s over. The war is lost. And at 11:50, he signs the letter of surrender to Grant. The Union general receives it along with a small escort. Emotions run high; some shout “Hurrah!” but Grant calms things down: there’s nothing to celebrate.
